A big fish story

This photo, which was the centerpiece of the front page of our Sunday Sports section, shows that wonderful celebration that every sportsman wants to experience. It's also an example of patience and dumb luck on the part of our photographer, Jerry Wolford. (Were I he talking to my boss, I would have called the photo the result of skill and hard work, but Jerry called it dumb luck himself.)
Jerry had spent the entire day Saturday at the Bassmaster American watching lines cast but not much of anything caught. He was ready to call it quits when he heard a clatter roar from the crowd at a creek channel about 50 yards away. He turned, saw Fred Roumbanis pulling a taut line and imitated Justin Gatlin. (A pale imitation, but he sprinted nonetheless.)
Jerry dived onto the ground to get the best position and started shooting. (I'm picturing the James Bond shooting the villains while prone and airborne.) The moment he pressed the shutter release, Roumbanis pulled the day's biggest bass out of the water. More than six pounds. (Correction: his total catch was 14 pounds, 10 ounces.) And Jerry got the shot of the day.
Like a good boss, I asked him why he had wasted the entire day when he got the shot we needed in five minutes.
** I wasn't taking notes during this telling and I've asked Jerry to edit/polish this entry when he gets back in so I may have some updating to do.
Jerry adds: "The other thing to note is the fish was hooked in a way, right on the mouth, that made it likely to come off the hook. You can almost see the fear in the guys face as he was on the boat deck trying to land the thing.
"In a moment like this, when a fisherman exhibits this kind of excitement and exhileration, you know fishing is a sport and not just a way to spend the college fund on a boat. One of the purist sports photos I have ever made. I always say I would rather be lucky than good!"
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